The famous scientist and traveler Fosco Maraini deeply studied Tibetan culture and religion. His book - the fruit of a long and extremely exciting journey to Tibet, by ship, by train, and then by caravan route to Lhasa - is written in the language of a true master of words. Having visited Tibetan monasteries, Maraini described their inhabitants, way of life, traditions, mystical rituals and sometimes funny features of life. Admiring the chortens, symbolic images of the entire Lamaistic cosmogony, the author explained their meaning and significance for the Tibetan religion. He also presented details of the lives of all strata of Tibetan society from peasants to secular and religious nobility. Maraini paid special attention to the concept of Lamaism, and above all to the personality of the one who initiated the great movement - Guatama Buddha the Awakened.